Summer 2021 M D I a P

Home , Lost One

Planning for Sustainability: Effective Wastewater Management Strategies for Communities, 10

Legislative Update, 8 Take a Chance on Me: Hiring Veterans, 14

Remembering Dick Otis, 16

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H N , r e t s e h c n a

SUMMER 2021 M D I A P

e g a t s o P . S . U

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Passive Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems

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A Note From The President...... 4 NOWRA Board of Directors...... 5 State Affiliate News...... 6 Legislative Update...... 8 Corporate Members...... 9 Feature: Planning for Sustainability...... 10 Take a Chance on Me: Hiring Veterans.... 14 Tribute to Dick Otis...... 16 Executive Director’s Message...... 20 Industry News...... 22 Thank you to Eric Casey...... 23

ADVERTISER INDEX

Presby Environmental...... 2 Jet, Inc...... 15 Salcor...... 5 Polylok...... 19 WaterColor Management...... 7 Infiltrator Water Technologies ...... 21 American Manufacturing Company, Inc...... 9 BioMicrobics, Inc...... 23 Geoflow, Inc...... 11 Eljen Corporation...... 24 Roth Global Plastics, Inc...... 13

PUBLISHED FOR THE NATIONAL ONSITE WASTEWATER RECYCLING ASSOCIATION

National Onsite Wastewater For Advertising Inquiries: Recycling Association Editor/Publisher: Amy Wobbema Thomas Groves, Executive Director (701) 947-2417 P.O. Box 982, Westford, MA 01886 [email protected] Phone: 978-496-1800 Fax: 703-997-5609 ©2021. All rights reserved. Email: [email protected] Contents may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without prior written permis- Published by Transcript Publishing sion from Transcript Publishing or the National 817 Central Avenue; PO Box 752 Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association. New Rockford, ND 58356 4 A NOTE FROM THE [email protected] Visit the site daily for new, exclusive content. Read our blogs, find resources and get the most out of Onsite Installer magazine. Our industry was built on the email to [email protected] and we research of many people, many will be sure you get it. of which came out of the Univer- sity of Wisconsin-Madison Small Now that 2021 is in full swing Scale Waste Management Proj- and life is getting more back ect. We lost one of those indus- to normal, I am already looking try leaders, Dick Otis, this spring. forward to our annual Onsite SALCOR: SAFE WATER As many of you know, I live in Mega-Conference in October. Minnesota, where I am proud to Online meeting fatigue is real, Sara Heger, President say Dick was born and got his and I know many of us miss the creased grant funding for low to THAT’S UV CLEAN! undergraduate degree at the comradery of theM iAnJteOrRa cKtEioYSns Media Filter Installatimonoderate income households to University of Minnesota. Dick and that just are not tPhroep esar imnseta llvaitriotun aolf- the taresastimste nint t rtahine c roemppaoinre anntsd is reespselnatciael t-o SINCE 1997, 3G UNITS HAVE DISINFECTED I got to know each other through ly. In the meantimmee,d iiaf fiyltoeurs wneorekding effecmtiveenlyt aonfd seeffipciteinct lsy yosvteer ma l oancgr loifes ss pan. There are many different options available for media filters these ONSITE WASTEWATER WORLDWIDE! both his work in the Midwest and training, two new modules are the country. This is an important with NOWRA. Dick had three available from NOdaWys,R aAnd oenve tnh theo ugh they are all a little different, three key steps for media installation are cisosmumeo tno w sittha ayl l athberme.a Tshtis o efx clalutseivre t his things I truly respected – intelli- online platform: online article spells them souumt. omnseitre iannstda llienrt.coo mth/fee aftaulrl,e das we gence, passion and dedication. • 10 hours of Design Training may need your help to reach out SAVES HEALTH & PRISTINE ENVIRONMENTS Aside from our roots, Dick and • 22 hours of modules from the to your legislators to support this I shared a love for learning. In 2020 Onsite Mega-CoOnfveerrehnecaerd Online “A little self-inventogrrya ncat np rogram. the 2000s, while I was working SURVIVES MOST WEATHER “CATASTROPHES” be critical for identifying full time and working part time If you need educational credits, vulnerabilities that neI ehdo tpoe b teh is summer you stay busy on my PhD, Dick would regular- always be sure to check which addressed, opportungiteietsti nthga tn ew septic systems in the ENABLES DISINFECTED EFFLUENT REUSE ly ask me how my progress was courses are approved in your need to be explogitreodu, n d and taking care of the going and remind me to not take jurisdiction using our interactive and strengths beggoinnegs t ow e ha—ve 4, T ibpsu fto rI C aonlsdouc thinog pa SeW OT DESTROYS DEADLY “SUPERBUGS”/VIRUSES 25 years like he did! Due to his map on our website: https:// Analysis for Your Onsite Business be reinforcedy.”ou find the time to enjoy life. As SALCOR onsiteinstaller.com/featured progressive illness, Dick has been www.nowra.org/training/. William Feather so well stated, DUKE’S absent from our regular NOWRA “One way to get the most out of SAFE WATER activities for some time, but his The federal lobbFyRinOgM a TcHtiEv ities TEACHING TIPS OCEANFRONT CORONA lifTer aisi ntion glo ok upon it as an ad- RESTAURANT, presence is felt continually and are showing promCLisAeS SfoRrO iOn-M VIRUS Answers to veTnhtautr eS.t”icks Malibu, CA 4 UV Unit Array will be a guiding force for years Trainees’ FAQs You’ve probably THAT’S UV CLECOVIDA-19 N! been asked to take Effluent Discharges to come. This month’s cover SAVES HEALTH & PRISTINE ENVIRONinMtoE ONceTaSn B/ eDacEhS STanRdOYS DEADLY “SUPERBUGS” & VIRUSES star, Chad Widmer, someone under owner of Soilworx, your wing and teach Now 40 years after this funda- n n is also a certified him or her a skill, show how to perform R Reessidideenntitaial/lC/Coommmmeercrciaial lW Waasstetewwaateter rO Onnssitiete N N oo C Chheemmicicalasl sA Addedde d& a Ennda Eblneasb les mental research, we are under- trainer in Alberta, a particular task or even how to use a DDeecceenntrtaralilzizeedd U Usseess WWaateter rR Reeccoovevreyr/yR/Reuesuese taking a research scanning proj- Canada. In this online new piece of equipment. It’s in the best SALCOR “3G” UV UNIT n n interests of everyone — you, the trainee M Moosdt u3lradr SPyasrtyem S u- cLceesss Cfuolslytl yT eInsstteadll astiinocne 1997 2 R -Yeeliaarb Wlea LrrEaDnt Vy,i sUunaitl &M oLnaimtopring 2 article, Widmer 9,000 GPD ect - NOW-R . 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SALCOR “3G” UV UNIT n ® six things to keep in mind when you’re MODULAR BLOCK DESIGN EOxpriagnindaetdo Ar orrfa “yRs eRveodlutcieo nSaprayr”e TPeaflrotsn In ventory (since 1997): UL Listed; NSDFU/KWEA’S SOtCaEteA N FRONT onsiteinstaller.com/ 9,000 GPD RESTAURANT baylor.edu, but if not please do. passing along your hard-earned wisdom. Foul-Resistant Lamp Barrier Fecal Coliform Tests, 6-Mo Each with 21 ATU’s; featured GRAVITY FLOW & Increase Effluent Flow Malibu, CA onsiteinstaller.com/featured n Tested and approved in BNQ Quebec, Canada; For this survey and process to be LLooww C Coosts

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2026, for a total of $250 million. stakeholders to support funding This new program: for the Decentralized Water Sys- • creates a grant program that tems program through the regular allows nonprofit organizations to FY 2022 appropriations process. receive funds for the construc- by Tracy Hammond, Polsinelli tion, refurbishing and servicing of Separately, President Biden has President Biden and Congressio- decentralized wastewater sys- formally nominated Radhika Fox nal Democrats continue to work tems for low or moderate income to head the US EPA’s Water Of- on a massive infrastructure pack- households, or cluster systems for fice as Assistant Administrator. age that will likely include sub- groups of such households Fox previously led the U.S. Water stantial water development pro- • gives priority to households Alliance, which advocates for sus- grams in addition to much-needed that do not have access to sanitary tainable water management and funding for roads, bridges, transit sewer disposal systems infrastructure. She also did policy and broadband. While some Re- • requires that EPA submit a and government affairs work for publicans do recognize the need report to Congress on the results the San Francisco Public Utilities to improve and expand the na- of the program within two years of Commission. Fox currently serves tion’s infrastructure, there are vast enactment of the Act in the position on an acting basis. differences on what policies to prioritize and how to pay for any In addition to DWWIA, NOWRA Appearing before the SEPW Com- new projects. Negotiations will continues to work with Members mittee, Fox was asked what her continue throughout the summer of the House of Representatives to priorities would be if confirmed. and likely into the fall before any formally reintroduce similar legis- She said they would include final compromise is reached. lation in the lower chamber that “mak[ing] sure the Office of Water would create this decentralized is implementing the range of Throughout this process, NOWRA grant program. Additional educa- water infrastructure funding and has continued to advocate for a tion and advocacy work needs to financing programs this commit- more equitable balance of federal be done in order to build support tee has taken so much leadership resources for those that rely on for the legislation with both Dem- on developing.” Another priority, onsite systems around the coun- ocrat and Republican Members. Fox said, would be addressing try. On this front, we’ve had some per- and polyfluoroalkyl substanc- initial success. In May, the U.S. NOWRA leaders are also engaged es (PFAS) and other emerging Senate overwhelmingly passed S. with other Congressional offices contaminants. 914, the Drinking Water & Waste- on two efforts to better fund the water Infrastructure Act (DWWIA) US Department of Agriculture’s of 2021. The bill, which would Decentralized Water Systems Tracy Hammond is a Senior Policy invest more than $35 billion in wa- Grant program. Specifically, Advisor with Polsinelli’s Public Pol- ter resource development projects there is interest in dramatically icy Group in the firm’s Washing- across the country, was unani- expanding the program by po- ton Office. He advises clients on mously approved by the Senate tentially hundreds of millions of federal legislation and regulation Environment & Public Works dollars over the coming decade. in the areas of infrastructure, water (SEPW) Committee back in March. NOWRA and other stakeholders and environmental policy and are working with senator staff on serves as one of NOWRA’s lobby- Of particular importance to language that would attempt to ists in Washington, DC. NOWRA, DWWIA would establish balance the need to get funding a new grant program that would out the door as quickly as possi- help homeowners install and ble, while also providing flexibility replace decentralized wastewater to homeowners and direct R&D systems. If enacted, Section 208 spending to help deploy systems of the bill would authorize $50 to areas with more difficult phys- million of annual funding for this ical environments. Separately, program for Fiscal Years 2022 – NOWRA led a joint letter of allied CORPORATE 9 MEMBERS LEGISLATIVE UPDATE NOWRA’s Board of Directors thanks its Corporate Members for their support of NOWRA’s activities:

Diamond Level: Eljen Corporation Infiltrator Water Technologies Norweco, Inc.

Gold Level: Silver Level: American Manufacturing Co. BioMicrobics, Inc. Jet, Inc. Ecological Tanks, Inc. Salcor, Inc. Polylok

Bronze Level: Copper Level: Pewter Level: Geoflow, Inc. Hiblow USA Earthbusters Hoot Systems, Inc. Orenco Systems NSF International Netafim USA Residential Sewage Treatment Co. WaterColor Management Roth Global Products SJE Rhombus To learn more about or to join NOWRA’s Corporate Membership program, please contact us at (978) 496-1800, by email at [email protected], or on our website at www.nowra.org/about/corporate-members/. 10

Homes in the Town of Lake Santeetlah with small “grandfathered” lots and steep, rocky sites present challenges for effective onsite wastewater management. PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABILITY Robust Decision Making and Adaptive Management Help Communities Effectively Manage Wastewater

By Victor D’Amato while respecting their residents’ reducing nutrient loading to coast- When leaders in the Town of Lake preferences and property rights. al waters. “Sewering” to replace Santeetlah (TOLS) received a $5M existing OWS received less sup- estimate to collect and convey TOLS is not alone. Communities port from residents due to its high wastewater miles across rugged large and small throughout the estimated costs (over $50,000 per terrain and over pristine surface United States struggle to make home in some cases) and prob- waters to the nearest centralized sound water infrastructure de- lematic secondary impacts (e.g., treatment plant, they knew there cisions, and then face intense growth pressures). Understanding had to be a better solution to un- backlash when prohibitive cost the connected nature of coastal dersized and aging septic systems estimates are presented. So-called embayments on the Cape led the in this scenic North Carolina moun- “septic to sewer” initiatives in Cape Cod Commission to develop tain town of about 200 homes. multiple high-profile areas in the a Regional Wastewater Manage- After all, even relatively uninformed U.S., while well-intentioned, often ment Plan and an Area-Wide Water members of the public have seen miss the mark of targeting the right Quality Management Plan intended the headlines in the popular news drivers and addressing stakehold- to provide an adaptive, rather than media touting space-age, build- er concerns from the outset. For prescriptive, framework for making ing-scale water recycling technolo- example, septic to sewer initiatives progress toward meeting nutrient gies, and other innovative wastewa- in Cape Cod, Massachusetts in loading targets established by Total ter systems. Surely there had to be the 2000s were met with strong Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). a way to bring resilient and afford- community resistance, leading able wastewater management to regional authorities and local ju- As in many areas – particularly those residents with problematic risdictions to adopt plans that rely along the Eastern Seaboard of the onsite wastewater systems (OWS), on a multi-sectoral approach to U.S. – wastewater planning initia- 11

tives on the Cape were driven by The cost implications of septic to appear to be similar, their challeng- a need to reduce nitrogen loading sewer conversions are typically es – namely protecting water quality to surface waters. The resulting substantial, particularly consider- and ensuring effective wastewater plans include a suite of activities ing the amount of nutrient loading management – are indeed linked, for reducing nutrient loads includ- reduced (i.e., cost per unit mass of with the main difference being a ing centralized sewering (where nutrients removed), the uncertainty question of scale. In contrast to affordable), upgrades to existing around potential load reductions approximately 200 systems in TOLS, OWS, cluster systems, and a vari- and time scale during which deliv- the State of Maryland has approx- ety of non-traditional water quality ered load reductions are realized, imately 420,000 soil discharging management options (e.g., dry toi- and the secondary impacts of OWS, including about 52,000 in the lets, permeable reactive ground- sewering. Clearly, robust upfront Chesapeake Bay critical area (within water barriers, stormwater BMPs, planning is an essential element 1,000 feet of Bay tidal waters). oyster mariculture). Communities of any area-wide effort to address As a key member of the Chesa- on the South Shore of Long Island, problems with existing OWS. peake Bay Partnership (CBP), MDE New York having similar issues as In the halls of the Maryland De- has been a leader in proactive Cape Cod (e.g., densely settled partment of Environment (MDE), OWS management. Since 2006, communities on old OWS, nutrient conversations often revolve around the MDE has awarded funding for enrichment of coastal embay- two of their challenging goals: sewering or upgrading with best ments) have focused much of their meeting the State’s obligations available technology (BAT) over energies toward upgrading OWS, under the Chesapeake Bay TMDL 12,000 septic systems through the particularly the most problematic and providing effective and reli- Bay Restoration Fund (BRF) On- ones (e.g., cesspools) while cen- able wastewater systems to histori- site Sewer Disposal System grant tralizing wastewater collection cally underserved communities. program. MDE has also been an and treatment in village and town instrumental participant in the centers. Although TOLS and MDE might not CBP Wastewater Treatment Work-

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The CBP Attenuation Panel developed a treatment and attenuation framework that helps estimate pollutant load delivery associated with OWS. ing Group (WTWG), under which used in the OWS sector within the al components of the assessment several Expert Panels were formed Chesapeake Bay Watershed, but based on user-selected objectives to address nitrogen loading associ- as importantly, the framework and and data quality ratings and gen- ated with OWS. One such Panel – resulting attenuation estimates are erates feasibility ratings for sewer the CBP’s OWS Total Nitrogen (TN) a model for TOLS, Long Island, and extension and decentralized system Attenuation Expert Panel – recom- virtually any other area addressing upgrades as outputs. The meth- mended spatially-variable, scien- the water quality impacts of OWS. odologies and tool were tested tifically-supported improvements using campgrounds and mobile to the CBP’s TN load estimation MDE has already leveraged the home parks (MHP) in Maryland as methodology (previously, the CBP Attenuation Panel results to inform historically underserved areas likely assumed the same reductions for its Phase III Watershed Implemen- to feature high densities of legacy all OWTS within the Chesapeake tation Plan (WIP) while targeting OWTS that could be targeted for Bay Watershed regardless of site those underserved communities of upgrade or retrofit projects. The characteristics or geographic loca- concern. Through the CBP, MDE outputs allow for potential projects tion). The Panel’s work, which con- created a tool that uses existing to be rated and ranked for both the cluded with a final report, approved spatially referenced state data to risk of existing OWS (e.g., nitro- in 2016, included three main steps: make more robust, scientifically gen loading) and the feasibility of 1) Developing a conceptual based OWS upgrade or retrofit a project to mitigate those risks. framework for evaluating and prioritization decisions that feature Projects falling into the high risk/ communicating nutrient removal favorable nitrogen load reduction/ high feasibility category would be processes in OWS. cost ratios. The resulting method- favored for additional analyses 2) Conducting a literature review ology includes (1) techniques for to validate the results and move focused on TN removal in OWS data pre-processing to generate a forward with implementation as and the hydrogeomorphology of “baseline” GIS layer of potential warranted. and the relative transmission of TN project sites (focused on areas with through varied watershed geolo- high densities of legacy OWTS); Back in TOLS, Town leaders devel- gies. and (2) a multi-criteria decision oped an adaptive decentralized 3) Using modeling (Colorado analysis (MCDA) tool to prioritize wastewater management plan School of Mines’ STUMOD and potential project sites by their risk which demonstrated to reluctant USGS’ SPARROW models) to cor- (focused on nitrogen loading but residents that the community’s roborate findings from the litera- also including other co-benefits wastewater management objec- ture. and confounding risk factors) and tives could be met by taking small upgrade or retrofit feasibility (Tetra steps, and without sewering and as- The Panel’s nitrogen loading Tech, 2019). The MCDA tool allows sociated sunk costs. After multiple recommendations are now being for variable weighting of individu- meetings with community leaders 13 and stakeholders, a set of recom- mation, facilitating discussions, and in these case studies and in other mendations were provided to help brokering access to land for small communities, applied within the TOLS move forward with a more cluster systems Inventory-Prioritize-Manage frame- proactive wastewater management 5) Take proactive steps to miti- work, can be used to help solve approach while respecting the gate potential future problems with even the most vexing wastewater community’s reluctance to TOLS onsite systems, by securing access management challenges. providing full wastewater services to potential cluster sites via pur- at this time. chase, long term lease, etc. 1) Raise awareness among res- About the Author: idents and elevate the discussion Clearly, wastewater management Victor D’Amato is the Supervi- about wastewater management, decisions are highly specific to the sor of the Viable Utilities Unit in through a public education cam- community and its context. How- North Carolina’s Division of Water paign ever, all wastewater management Infrastructure. Prior to returning 2) Better understand existing planning processes can be sim- to state government in May 2021, onsite wastewater systems in the plified by focusing on three main Vic worked for 21 years as a con- Town and any problems using field efforts: sulting engineer with Tetra Tech inspections, permit file reviews and • Inventory of existing wastewa- and ARCADIS. Vic earned his BS property owner surveys ter systems, including OWS in Civil Engineering from Penn 3) Better understand local im- • Prioritization of existing waste- State University and his MS in Wa- pacts of onsite systems on water water systems for enhanced man- ter Resources Engineering from quality, by increasing sampling lo- agement the University of North Carolina at cations especially nearshore during • Management planning and Chapel Hill. He currently serves as high use periods implementation the Vice Chair of the Small Com- 4) Provide options for individual Whether evaluating OWS in munity Committee of the Water property owners and groups of TOLS or the State of Maryland, the Environment Federation. property owners, by sharing infor- tools and approaches illustrated

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Jim King, President of Eljen Corporation

While the young men and wom- He hired Jim Donlin, a Staff thrive. Their work ethic is beyond en leaving the military may not Sergeant, who as a young man reproach. And none of those know the greatest hits from served in Korea, and who would are my top reasons for filling my Abba, they know the song “Take later deploy to Afghanistan as team with veterans. A Chance On Me.” The song crew chief in Chinook helicopters encapsulates their single all-con- in 2003. Jim was instrumental The people we hire have never suming thought as they look for in designing the machines and been in our industry. They have their first job after the military, processes to keep the company no background in environmental hoping anyone out there will see growing. engineering or product support. them for the leader they are and What they do have is the ability not just another unqualified soul Later the family grew to include to lead and adapt. These are the walking through the door. I can more. Most of these veterans most flexible people to changing speak from personal experience served, with deployments to Iraq situations, able to solve problems that Veterans can shape your and Afghanistan. These names quickly and creatively. business and community. In the do not include the many people past election, 182 veterans ran in our factory who have served According to Training Industry for Congress, and at this mo- and fought in other countries like Quarterly, employees take from ment, 91 veterans serve in Con- Bosnia before immigrating to one to two years to become fully gress. the US. Their jobs in the military productive. For any business, this ranged from tank mechanic for a is a substantial investment to get Closer to home, you will find vet- reconnaissance team that operat- a new employee to fully produc- erans working in your local com- ed along the Iron Curtain to so- tive status. The delay in becom- munity. The average veteran is nar tech on US Navy attack subs ing fully productive is from a lack more likely to have a high school operating in classified waters. of understanding their first tasks, diploma or higher education than figuring out the organization, and their civilian counterparts. You When deployed, all branches determining the metrics for a job will find that they are problem rely on these operators for the well done. solvers, motivated, and some of lifeblood that keeps the military the most determined workers moving forward. They use team- Veterans become productive you can find. work to control a very volatile quickly, acknowledging the site with many moving parts, a team, their weaknesses, and I am lucky and work for a com- place where carelessness can their strengths. The team works pany started by a WWII veteran, lead to tragic outcomes. together to build the new em- LTC Joe Glasser. Upon return- ployee and get them on board ing home from war, Joe was an No matter what branch these as soon as possible. Veterans are educator at the University of team members come from, the their own training program. The Connecticut and later became an expectation is that they will be a leaders in the group emerge and entrepreneur in 1970. In the early team member. They have worked ensure the team is moving in the 90s, his company was still fragile, in the most austere environ- right direction to accomplish the but Joe took a risk and started a ments, compounded with stress task. manufacturing company here in and confusion. Most have trained Connecticut. since high school to not buckle Each veteran shares a common in these environments but to bond that continues from their 15 former life to their new life as a ci- how to be the men and women changed their life and their fam- vilian. The ability to put them into that represent our armed forces ily’s life. And that brings immea- another environment with vet- today. Those who came before surable satisfaction. erans makes the transition from helped shape our values and our military life to civilian life more courage. To know we carry on Take A Chance On Us! manageable. They come to work the traditions of the past and are with the values, traditions and responsibly instilling those tradi- About the Author: expectations resonating in them tions in the ones that come after Jim King is the President for Eljen from when they served. The result us is a tremendous responsibility. Corporation. He finished his engi- from hiring veterans is you get a I can say to those who served be- neering degree at the University well-trained, quickly adaptable fore me; you did an excellent job; of Connecticut and joined the employee who can change the I hope we do not let you down. military. Mr. King was a Captain in face of your company in a matter the US Army, serving two deploy- of months rather than years. Hire a veteran. It has the poten- ments to Iraq. After his military tial to change the face of your career, he returned to Connecticut What has made the generation of organization. If it does not, I am where he finished his MBA and veterans entering the workforce, sure you will be pleased with the found a home at Eljen. In 2019 returning home so great? The an- efforts and commitment of your they were awarded the Federal swer is simple. Every veteran who new hire, as veterans are commit- HireVETs Small Business Platinum came before us made us who we ted to completing the job. And Award. are today. They taught us how to even if it doesn’t change your march, how to stand up straight, organization, hiring a veteran 16

REMEMBERING DICK OTIS

By Charles Otis This experience was profound and retire until “Otis finished his PhD!” Richard “Dick” Otis, 76, of Madi- helped to shape his adult personal- Dick had set PhD plans aside when son, WI, died in Madison, Wiscon- ity as well as to kill any ego he may the kids were born because he sin on Sunday, February 28, 2021, have had. It also gave him direc- was traveling so much. However, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s tion for his future career. at Bill’s behest, he dusted off his Disease. He was born at Oakland research on small-scale distribution Naval Base on October 9, 1944, to He returned from Kenya in late systems and spent a year writing Chuck and Janet Botts Otis. Dick 1969. He applied to the University his thesis, while still almost con- grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, of Wisconsin Engineering School stantly traveling. He was awarded near the University of Minneso- and began a master’s degree in his PhD 25 years after he started ta campus, where his dad was a Sanitary Engineering. In the early his research, and he joked that to Professor of Agriculture. Dick is ‘80s, Dick, UW Engineering grad- pass his orals he just needed to survived by Barbara Lee, his wife of uates Damann Anderson, Bob outlive his committee. 39 years, son Charley and daugh- Siegrist and UW Soil Sciences ter Joanna. graduate Dave Hargett formed Over the years, septic systems took RSE (Rural Systems Engineering). Dick around the world. In 1980, Dick attended the University of They focused on designing onsite fellow UW Engineering graduate Minnesota from 1962-66 and wastewater treatment systems. Professor Torleiv Bilstad invited him earned a degree in geophysics. RSE attracted the attention of to teach a semester at the Univer- In 1965, he accompanied the another UW Engineering graduate, sity in Stavanger (UIS), Norway. He Summer Community Organization Dean Schultz of Ayres Associates consulted in places like Trinidad, and Political Education Program in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Dean New Zealand, Nigeria, Tunisia, (SCOPE), to Georgia where he was helping to establish an Ayres Egypt, Israel, Jordan, American helped register disadvantaged environmental group in Madison Samoa as well as Europe and the people to vote. He spoke fondly of and made the offer to acquire RSE. United States. this time and often said the experi- Dick was VP of Onsite Wastewater ence shaped his moral compass. Systems for Ayres for many years. Dick worked on experimental When he retired from Ayres, he systems, notably the Wisconsin He objected to the reasoning for started Otis Environmental Con- Mound System and drip irrigation the Vietnam War and was granted sulting. systems. He helped write policy a 2-year deferral to join the Peace and standards for the EPA and Wis- Corps. He was assigned to the arid In 1998, Dick’s UW Engineering consin DNR. One of his most mem- Turkana region of Northwestern professor and good friend Bill orable consulting gigs was in Brazil Kenya. He was tasked with orga- Boyle was planning to retire. How- for the World Bank. After retiring nizing residents to build wells. ever, Bill was determined not to from Ayres, Dick became a men- 17

Discussing the design of a drip system during an installation in Troncones, Mexico. tor for Engineers Without Borders (EWB-UW). During Signing the EPA Decentralized Wastewater the eight years he mentored EWB, he accompanied Management MOU as NOWRA president in 2011. groups of UW students on working trips to El Salvador and Kenya. His fluency in Swahili came in handy on the four trips to Kenya.

Dick was active in the professional organizations WEF, WOWRA, AWWA and particularly NOWRA. In 2013, he was surprised and touched to receive the inaugu- ral NOWRA “Richard J. Otis Industry Achievement Award.”

Things began to become difficult in 2014 when he was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at age 68. Dick was a humble man, known as a guy who asked for nothing and gave everything. He gladly shared his expertise with anyone who was interested. He ascribed to Harry Truman’s philosophy: “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”

His sister Peggy sums Dick Otis up best: “Dick was gifted, smart, inventive, capable, thoughtful, kind and humble. He led a productive life and contributed to a At his son Charley’s Master’s graduation ceremony greater world.” from the University of Stavanger in Norway in 2013.

By Jerry Stonebridge, NOWRA a break from the science side. It topic came up – always an interest- past president wasn’t long before we were calling ing discussion and learning expe- I worked on several committees on Dick to help out with one of our rience about our different person- with Richard (Dick) Otis during Environmental Science and Engi- alities and thought processes. Dick NOWRA’s formative years in the neering projects, and as usual, he and I also found out we both liked early 1990s and recognized his was more than willing to help. Crown Royal – which may not have ability to integrate ideas and put been a good thing… them into a complete, understand- We traveled around the country to able document. I didn’t get to the states that had been awarded Dick Otis was a kind, thoughtful, know the person “Dick” until we grants for Onsite Demonstration brilliant person who was willing to served together on the National Projects. After meeting with Com- give his time for the betterment of Decentralized Water Resource munity Members and Project Man- all others. He will always be re- Capacity Development Project agers during the day, we would membered as a leader in the field from 1996 – 2004. Dick opted to retire to the motel and do a review of decentralized infrastructure and work on Regulatory Reform proj- of the day, followed by an open missed at all levels. ects. He said he wanted to take forum on whatever philosophical 18 Some NOWRA History By Bob Mayer, NOWRA past ment practices, Dick saw the need pert witness, where he gave a president for a comprehensive approach to full-throated testimony in support Dick Otis was involved with program management to assure of the EPA findings.This early activ- NOWRA from the early days of the success of onsite systems. ity led to NOWRA gaining national the association. He was asked to A Technical Practice Committee credibility, and added substantially chair the Technical Practice com- meeting was convened at the Uni- to the success of our current lobby- mittee, which was a natural for him. versity of Rhode Island to deter- ing efforts. Through his technical involvement mine what should be the elements with most alternatives for onsite of any onsite wastewater program. NOWRA received EPA funding to wastewater design and his experi- There was a day of discussion, develop a national onsite wastewa- ence with EPA for manual writing, which was somewhat scattered and ter code with the idea that states Dick provided NOWRA with leader- mostly left the issue unresolved. could adopt these best practices ship and education for all members Dick arrived late and changed the that have gained consensus of the involved with these issues in their entire direction of the discussion. national association of “experts.” professional activities. He led the effort to develop what When the development stalled, is now known as the “Strategic Dick took the responsibility to finish In the early 1990s, soon after Framework for Unsewered Waste- the report to complete the deliver- NOWRA was formed, the EPA was water Infrastructure” that can be ables to the EPA for NOWRA. working on management guidance found on the NOWRA website. for onsite wastewater systems. They Dick was a mentor and friend to had come to realize the importance By the late 1990s, the EPA un- countless industry professionals. of onsite wastewater systems to be derstood that onsite wastewater He was always ready to share his part of the permanent wastewater systems were a reliable and per- knowledge and judgment whenev- infrastructure for the country. Dick manent part of the nations’ infra- er asked. Dick considered himself led the association in developing structure. This resulted in a report not only an engineer but also an a consensus of practitioners as to to congress supporting this belief. environmentalist, always trying to what was needed for best practices Dick was asked to testify in front make the world a better place. in onsite wastewater management. of the congressional committee In conjunction with best manage- of jurisdiction as an industry ex- Richard J. Otis Award for Industry Achievement The Richard J. Otis Industry Award al life volunteering to help and for Industry Achievement was educate those working to improve established by NOWRA in 2013 to water quality and public health recognize and honor past presi- practices in the water environment. dent Richard “Dick” Otis for his He worked with the "Peace Corps" service to NOWRA and for his in Africa on drinking water issues many contributions to the industry. and then with "Engineers Without Borders," teaching internationally In the mid-to-late 1970s, the the next generation of engineers EPA realized that “onsite” (septic the benefit of technically appropri- systems) were an important and ate engineering solutions for water permanent part of our national in- issues. Dick guided NOWRA's frastructure solution. They funded Technical Practices Committee in research to include the engineer- the early days and later served ing necessary to establish stan- as the president of NOWRA from dards for onsite system design. Dr. 2010-2012. Otis was a leader in this activity to define the capabilities and science Dr. Otis was the principal author behind the appropriate applica- Dick Otis (left) accepts the Rich- for several EPA manuals (purple tion of onsite wastewater for the ard J. Otis Industry Achievement books) plus numerous research nation. Award from then President, Tom papers during his tenure at the Fritts, during NOWRA’s 2013 An- University of Wisconsin. Dick spent his entire profession- nual Conference. 19 20 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE feature four full issues per year. In of NOWRA in the late 2000s, but addition to the print publication, he was also an extremely knowl- Thomas Groves, Exec. Director watch for regular email communica- edgeable, wise, and compassion- I am very excited to be the new tions to the full membership keep- ate man – an icon to the onsite Executive Director of NOWRA. I ing everyone apprised of upcoming industry. I first met Dick in 1990 began in late January and hit the events, such as 2021 Onsite Waste- when I was a young professional ground running, but truth be told, water Mega-Conference Call for at NEIWPCC, and Dick was one of I had already been getting up to Abstracts, research needs survey, our keynote speakers for our first speed well before then. Having regional onsite wastewater prior experience as a NOWRA conference. He was nation- Board Member and past pres- ally known at that time, and I ident gave me insight into the remember being a bit intimi- needs of the position and the dated meeting him and picking requirements of being Executive him up at the airport, but he Director of NOWRA. This year was extremely friendly and has been a whirlwind so far for down to earth. He was always NOWRA, as most of society re- a gentleman. I was extremely turns to some form of normalcy af- honored to be awarded the ter the pandemic filled 2020. Plans legislative Fly-In, and new online Richard J. Otis Industry Achieve- are underway for our Onsite Waste- course offerings. ment Award in 2017. water Mega-Conference to be held in-person in San Marcos, Texas in Unfortunately, 2021 has also been And most recently, we just learned mid-October. Many in our industry bittersweet, as this year has been of the passing of Russell Martin. are looking forward to in-person filled with too many personal and Russ was a long-time NOWRA trainings and conferences once professional losses in our industry. State Affiliate Committee Chairper- again, as long as they can be done As our spring issue highlighted, I son as well as a past president of safely. We are making appropriate lost a near and dear friend in Ron NOWRA’s New England affiliate, plans for the 2021 Mega-Confer- Suchecki shortly after starting this Yankee Onsite Wastewater Associa- ence, which will also feature a vir- position. Part of my excitement tion (YOWA). I knew Russ for many tual component for those who are about taking on this new role was years as the onsite regulator for the not able to attend in-person. Our looking forward to working with state of Maine as well as with the 2020 virtual Mega-Conference was Ron on NOWRA and specifically, State Onsite Regulator’s Associa- a huge success, and we have since the 2021 Mega-Conference being tion (SORA), and with our roles in converted many of the sessions to held in his home state of Texas. We YOWA. He was a quiet professional. an online course; however, many of became good friends after meeting us missed the networking and other on the NOWRA Board of Directors My new tenure here at NOWRA aspects that come along with an in the mid-2000s. It was probably will not be the same without these in-person event. our New England sarcasm that gentlemen, as they each affected drew us to each other, as Ron had me personally and professionally. I I plan to continue to grow NOWRA spent some time in his earlier years will try to honor their memories by as my predecessor Eric Casey did growing up in Connecticut and being the best Executive Director I (see page 23 for related story). New Hampshire. He will be forever can be for NOWRA. I have outlined Look for more communication from missed. many goals for myself and NOWRA NOWRA in various forms, such as over the next several years. I will this issue of the Onsite Journal. We The recent passing of Richard highlight those in upcoming issues, are pleased to have a new, suc- “Dick” Otis is another large loss for but in the meantime, please enjoy cessful relationship with Transcript our industry (see related stories on this issue of the Onsite Journal. I Publishing to continue to expand page 16-18). Not only was Dick my look forward to serving this organi- the Onsite Journal, which will now vice-president when I was president zation. 21 Reimagining Onsite Water Management

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SAVE THE DATE! 2021 Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference October 17-20, 2021 San Marcos, Texas

The Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference is the largest event of its kind and offers decentralized professionals the highest quality education and training available. It is a combined effort of the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA), the National Association of Wastewater Technicians (NAWT), the State Onsite Regulators Association (SORA), and the Texas Onsite Wastewater Association (TOWA). Watch for Exhibitor and Attendee registration opening soon. Visit our Conference Website for details: https://www.nowra.org/conference/mega-conference/ Thank you INDUSTRY NEWS Eric Casey

Executive Directors past and present: Eric Casey and Thomas Groves The NOWRA Board of Directors would like to thank Eric Casey for his 10 plus years of service to NOWRA. Hired as NOWRA’s first official employee Executive Director, Eric took over leadership of NOWRA during a very difficult time and economy. He helped professionalize NOWRA all while growing the organization to where it is today. NOWRA currently stands at over 5,000 members and 24 affiliate organizations repre- senting 29 states.

Under Casey’s leadership, NOWRA has created a Lobbying Board of Governors, which has begun to help influence legislative activities as well as provide funding for the onsite/decentralized industry. He was also instrumental in forging partnerships with EPA and some of our Decentralized MOU partners, such as our annual Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference which is co-sponsored by NAWT and SORA. NOWRA’s online learning academy was also created in the past few years, which now places NOWRA in a great position to meet the continuing education requirements of our state affiliate organizations while also sharing revenue with our affiliates. We wish Eric well in his retirement, where he can spend some time doing other things he loves, such as gardening, traveling, and baseball. He will be missed by the organization.

One of Casey’s parting gifts from the NOWRA Board of Directors was this custom Washington Nationals baseball jersey.

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